303879
Evaluation of using Expanded Practice Dental Hygienists to provide expanded services in Oregon's School-based Dental Sealant Program
In 2013, the Oregon Public Health Division’s Oral Health Unit piloted a workforce development program that allows Expanded Practice Dental Hygienists (EPDHs) to utilize their full scope of practice in a school-based setting. The “EPDH expanded services” delivery model has EPHDs providing prophies, fluoride varnish, education, and limited case management to high-risk children. Data is being collected using iPads. We are now conducting an evaluation to look at the feasibility, effectiveness and barriers of the expanded services delivery model compared to the current School-based Dental Sealant Program model.
Methods:
Children in 1st and 2nd grades are being tracked and receiving services for two years. Year 1 results will be available in July 2014 and year 2 results in July 2015. Eligible elementary schools were recruited based on size and urban/rural designation:
- 10 schools not participating in any oral health services program
- 10 schools participating in the current School-based Dental Sealant Program
- 10 schools participating in the EPDH expanded services model
Results:
Anticipated outcomes include:
- Children participating in the EPDH expanded services model will have fewer pre-cursors of caries than children in the other categories.
- The cost of providing expanded services will be similar to the cost of providing services under the current delivery model.
- The expanded services delivery model is efficient in reaching a substantial proportion of children qualified for expanded services.
Conclusion:
The Oral Health Unit will use results of the evaluation to inform dental sealant program development and implementation of its internal program.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionConduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Program planning
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Learning Objectives:
Explain how Oregon is utilizing Expanded Practice Dental Hygienists (EPDHs) to provide more services as part of its statewide School-based Dental Sealant Program.
Demonstrate how program evaluation is looking at the feasibility, effectiveness and barriers of the expanded services delivery model.
Describe outcomes and evaluation principles used.
Discuss how workforce development projects in the School-based Dental Sealant Program will link to new health transformation initiatives underway in Oregon – Coordinated Care Organizations and Early Learning Council.
Identify lessons learned.
Keyword(s): Oral Health, Evaluation
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the project coordinator responsible for implementing and evaluating the Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist (EPDH) expanded services delivery model for Oregon's statewide School-based Dental Sealant Program. These activities are part of a three-year workforce development grant that I manage through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.